Integrating Consumer Providers into a Service Delivery System: The Role of Education and Credentials

Abstract The employment of consumer providers in psychiatric rehabilitation service delivery systems is a growing trend. In New Jersey, several new state funded initiatives have called for the inclusion of consumer providers on treatment teams. While this trend is potentially beneficial for both the consumers receiving services and those providing them, the dual role of consumer and service provider also raises a number of challenging issues. One of these is the creation of essentially second-class positions that may foster discrimination. A variety of strategies have been used to address challenges faced by consumer providers. In New Jersey, this has included the development of a university-based certificate program designed to promote the integration of consumer providers with their non-consumer colleagues.